Election Corner: Vote By Mail

As you prepare to receive your ballot in the coming weeks, here’s some important information about voting by mail and making sure your ballot is counted.

Election Day is less than two months away, but you can vote before Election Day! Under the California Voter’s Choice Act, all registered voters in San Mateo County will receive a ballot in the mail. Ballots are mailed starting 29 days before the election and can be voted and returned immediately.

When will I get my ballot?

Delivery of mailed ballots depends on local mail service; however, delivery should occur within the first two weeks of October. If you do not receive your ballot in the mail three weeks prior to Election Day contact the San Mateo County Registration & Elections Division at registrar@smcacre.org or (650) 312–5222.

How do I vote?

To make your selection, use a blue or black ink pen to fill-in the red oval next to your selection. Do not use a pencil, highlighter, or red ink pen. Be sure to read the instructions on each ballot card for more information about how to correctly mark the ballot for each contest.

When you finish marking your ballot, remove the ballot stubs from each ballot card — these are your receipts. Fold each ballot card individually and place all cards into the postage-paid envelope that came in your ballot packet.

PRO TIP: Be sure to sign the return envelope before mailing your completed ballot. In order to count your ballot, election officials will compare the signature on the return envelope to the signature in your voter file. Your signature is needed in order to count your ballot!

What if I make a mistake?

If you make a mistake marking your ballot you still have options. You can request for the San Mateo County Registration & Elections Division to mail you a replacement ballot. You can also bring your spoiled ballot to any Vote Center location in San Mateo County to request a replacement ballot. For a list of Vote Center locations and hours, go here.

How do I return my ballot?

All vote-by-mail ballots can be returned postage-paid through the U.S. Postal Service. Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked no later than Election Day — November 3, and must be delivered by the postal service to the County Elections Office no later than 17 days after the election in order to be counted.

Redwood City voters can hand-deliver your voted ballots to any Vote Center in San Mateo County no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day — November 3. For a list of Vote Center locations and hours, go here.

Redwood City voters can also place your voted ballot in any secure ballot drop box location throughout San Mateo County. Ballots placed in secure drop boxes are retrieved regularly and remain in the possession of election officials with the San Mateo County Registration & Elections Division once retrieved. For a list of ballot drop box locations, go here.

Can I track where my ballot is after I mail it?

To increase transparency and accountability, the California Secretary of State has developed the “Where’s my ballot?” tool. Track your ballot from the time it’s mailed, received, and counted. If there are any issues with counting your ballot — like you forgot to sign the return envelope! — the tool will inform you and tell you how to correct the issue so your ballot can be counted.

For more information about the 2020 Municipal Election, go here.

For more information about Redwood City’s new district election system, go here.